The president of the government of Southern Sudan has reiterated the commitment to peace as the only way to resolve the issues related to the contested Abyei area.
GoSS president Salva Kiir Mayardit told the press today that South Sudan will not accept a provocation intended to drive the region back to war.
He said his government remained committed to the peace that was agreed upon in 2005, adding that his army will not reiterate by attacking Abyei or anywhere in the Sudan.
President Kiir said the incident between the SPLA and a northern army convoy being escorted by UNMIS was an excuse for the invasion of Abyei.
He added that the attack was already prepared, including the presidential decrees that dismissed the Abyei administration authorities.
The president called for the northern army’s unconditional pullout of Abyei, deployment of international forces in the area for residents to return to their homes and aid organizations to assist them.